ABIDJAN, April 22 (Reuters) - Cocoa harvesting in Ivory Coast is expected to pick up from May, as favourable weather conditions should boost the April-to-September mid-crop, farmers said on Monday.
The world's top cocoa producer is in its rainy season, which runs officially from April to mid-November. Rains are usually abundant during this time.
Farmers across the country said more pods were ripening on trees, making it possible for more beans to leave the bush from the next month.
In the western region of Soubre, in the southern regions of Agboville and Divo, and in the eastern region of Abengourou farmers said the weather has been cloudy and that they expect to receive more rains during the next 10 days.
"We've had some good rain. This will help many pods to ripen properly," said Herve Yavo, who farms near Agboville.
Farmers in Soubre added that the amount of beans leaving the bush would rise gradually from mid-May to early July.
Growing conditions are good but frequent and regular rains are needed every week from May to strengthen the crop, said farmers from the west-central region of Daloa and the central regions of Bongouanou and Yamoussoukro.
"It rained practically all day yesterday. It's good for cocoa trees," said Albert N'Zue, who farms near Daloa.
Farmers from the region said the main part of the mid-crop harvest would be take place between June and early July. (Reporting by Loucoumane Coulibaly; Editing by Anait Miridzhanian and David Evans)
